Texans' offseason position-by-position breakdown

January 2, 2014

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

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Offensive line

Under contract: Duane Brown, Chris Myers, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton, Ben Jones, Cody White, Alex Kupper, Brennan Williams (injured reserve), David Quessenberry (injured reserve).
Free agents: Wade Smith, Ryan Harris, Andrew Gardner.
Assessment: Left tackle Brown, center Myers and right guard Brooks are solidly entrenched at their positions. Smith is expected to be replaced at left guard by Jones or Quessenberry, a former tackle who spent his rookie season on injured reserve. If Brennan Williams, who also spent his rookie season on injured reserve, or another veteran or a draft choice can’t beat out Newton next season, the offense will be in trouble. Newton struggled with consistency.

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

7of12

Offensive line

Under contract: Duane Brown, Chris Myers, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton, Ben Jones, Cody White, Alex Kupper, Brennan Williams (injured reserve), David Quessenberry (injured reserve).
Free agents: Wade Smith, Ryan Harris, Andrew Gardner.
Assessment: Left tackle Brown, center Myers and right guard Brooks are solidly entrenched at their positions. Smith is expected to be replaced at left guard by Jones or Quessenberry, a former tackle who spent his rookie season on injured reserve. If Brennan Williams, who also spent his rookie season on injured reserve, or another veteran or a draft choice can’t beat out Newton next season, the offense will be in trouble. Newton struggled with consistency.